Systems and methods for managing and displaying video sources

ABSTRACT

A video system for video surveillance or video monitoring includes a video source, a video control system, and a video management system. The video management system is configured to receive configuration data and generate maps based on the configuration data, wherein at least one of the maps is associated with the video source. The video management system displays the map associated with the video source and displays a graphical symbol on the map which indicates the location of the video source. The video management system then receives a selection of the video source, receives information associated with the selected video source, and displays the received information.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/295,095, entitled “Systems and Methods forManaging and Displaying Video Sources” filed on Jan. 14, 2010, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the invention are related, in general, to the field of videosurveillance and monitoring.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Many common video systems include video cameras and video processingsystems. Video control systems receive and process streams of video orimages which are captured by video cameras. Many of these video systemsprocess and store video in digital form. The video processing system mayperform many different processes on the video including: storing,transferring, compressing, thinning, or various types of video analyticsprocesses. The video system may also control the video cameras bysending pan, tilt, zoom, or other instructions to the video cameras.

Video systems are often used for surveillance, security, or other typesof monitoring uses. In these applications, many video cameras may beused and these cameras may even be spread among multiple physicallocations. A user in a single location may wish to view video fromvarious locations by selecting from among the multiple video cameras.The user may wish to make the video camera selection based oninformation about where the camera is located or the scene the camera iscovering. In some cases, a user may wish to view video from cameras in aparticular sequence in order to follow the movement of a person or anobject through an area.

Overview

A video system for video surveillance or video monitoring includes avideo source, a video control system, and a video management system. Thevideo management system is configured to receive configuration data andgenerate maps based on the configuration data, wherein at least one ofthe maps is associated with the video source. The video managementsystem displays the map associated with the video source and displays agraphical symbol on the map which indicates the location of the videosource. The video management system then receives a selection of thevideo source, receives information associated with the selected videosource, and displays the received information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a video system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an operation of a video system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a video system in which a video management systemapplication may be used to view video from two sites.

FIG. 4 illustrates four example display views of a video managementsystem.

FIG. 5 illustrates a video control system.

FIG. 6 illustrates a video management system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and associated drawings teach the best mode ofthe invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, someconventional aspects of the best mode may be simplified or omitted. Thefollowing claims specify the scope of the invention. Some aspects of thebest mode may not fall within the scope of the invention as specified bythe claims. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate variationsfrom the best mode that fall within the scope of the invention. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below canbe combined in various ways to form multiple variations of theinvention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specificexamples described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates video system 100 for video surveillance ormonitoring. Video system 100 includes video sources 101-104, videocontrol system (VCS) 120, and video management system (VMS) 130. VCS 120receives video from video sources 101-104. VMS 130 displays one or moremaps, displays the location of one or more of video sources 101-104 onthe maps, and displays information associated with one or more of videosources 101-104.

FIG. 2 illustrates an operation of video system 100. The steps ofoperation are indicated below parenthetically. VMS 130 is configured toreceive configuration data (210) and generate maps based on theconfiguration data, wherein at least one of the maps is associated withat least one of video sources 101-104 (220). VMS 130 displays the mapassociated with the video source (230) and then displays a graphicalsymbol on the map which indicates the location of the video source(240). VMS 130 receives a selection of the video source (250).Information associated with the video source is received by VMS 130(260). Finally, VMS 130 displays the received information (270).

In another example, the information received by VMS 130 comprises videoassociated with the video source. VMS 130 displays the video associatedwith the selected video source. In a further variation of this example,multiple video sources are selected and video associated each of thevideo sources is displayed simultaneously.

The operation of video system 100, as illustrated in FIG. 2, enables auser to see the physical location of video sources 101-104 on maps. Theuser may select video sources based on the physical location orproximity of the video sources to the areas of interest or based onother factors. Once selected, the user is able to view information orvideo associated with the selected video source.

Referring back to FIG. 1, video sources 101-104 may comprise any devicehaving the capability to capture video or images. Video sources 101-104comprise circuitry and an interface for transmitting video or images.Video sources 101-104 may be the devices which perform the initialoptical capture of the video or may be intermediate transfer devices.For example, video sources 101-104 may be video cameras, still cameras,internet protocol (IP) cameras, video switches, video buffers, videoservers, or other video transmission devices, including combinationsthereof.

VCS 120 may comprise any device for processing or distributing video,video streams, or images. VCS 120 comprises processing circuitry and aninterface for receiving video or other information. VCS 120 may performvarious buffering, multiplexing, or distribution functions in order tomake video from video sources 101-104 available to other systems orusers. VCS 120 may also perform other control functions includinginstructing the video sources to pan, tilt, zoom, power cycle, performdiagnostics, or other instructions. VCS 120 may also control manyadditional video sources which may be spread across multiple physicalsites or locations. VCS 120 may have a separate interface fortransmitting video and other information or may do so through the sameinterface through which video and other information is received. VCS 120may also comprise memory, software, firmware, communication components,a power supply, structural support, or other components. VCS 120 may bea video switching system, server, computing system, application specificcircuitry, custom hardware, or some type of processing device, includingcombinations thereof.

VCS 120 is connected to video sources 101-104 via links which may useany of a variety of communication media, such as air, metal, opticalfiber, or any other type of signal propagation path, includingcombinations thereof. The links may use any of a variety ofcommunication protocols, such as internet, telephony, opticalnetworking, wireless communication, wireless fidelity, or any othercommunication protocols and formats, including combinations thereof.

VMS 130 may comprise any device for receiving and displaying informationor video associated with video sources 101-104. VMS 130 may also beconfigured to perform further processing or manipulation on video, videostreams, or images. VMS 130 comprises a display, processing circuitry,and an interface for receiving video or other information. VMS 130displays maps and the location of video sources 101-104 on those maps.VMS 130 allows a user to select a video source and see information aboutor video from the selected video source. VMS 130 may also enable theuser to perform control functions on the video sources includinginstructions to pan, tilt, zoom, power cycle, perform diagnostics, orother instructions. VMS 130 may also comprise memory, software,firmware, communication components, power supply, structural support, orother components. VMS 130 may be a video processing system, videoanalytics system, server, computing system, application specificcircuitry, custom hardware, or some type of processing device, includingcombinations thereof.

VMS 130 is connected to VCS 120 via one or more links which may use anyof a variety of communication media, such as air, metal, optical fiber,or any other type of signal propagation path, including combinationsthereof. The link may use any of a variety of communication protocols,such as internet, telephony, optical networking, wireless communication,wireless fidelity, or any other communication protocols and formats,including combinations thereof.

Although VCS 120 and VMS 130 are illustrated as separate devices, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the functions associated withVCS 120 and VMS 130 may be combined in a single device or distributedacross VCS 120, VMS 130, or other devices, in a variety of manners.

FIG. 3 illustrates video system 300 in which a VMS application may beused to view video from one or more video sources. Video system 300 isan example of video system 100 although video system 300 may have analternate configuration or operate in an alternate manner. Video system300 includes cameras 301 and 302 at site A 312 and cameras 304 and 305at site B 314. Video system 300 also includes VCS 320, computer 330,computer 340, storage system 324, and storage system 354, communicationnetwork 318, and communication network 328. Video system 300 enables auser of computer 330 or computer 340 to view the location of the camerason maps which depict the orientation and surroundings of the cameras aswell as the spatial relationships between the cameras. The user may viewinformation about or video from one or more of the cameras.

Video system 300 comprises cameras at multiple sites. Cameras 301 and302 are located at site A 312. Cameras 304 and 305 are located at site B314. Site A 312 and site B 314 may be in different countries, indifferent states, in different parts of the same city, in differentbuildings, or in different areas of the same building. Each of site A312 and site B 314 may typically include many additional cameras. In oneexample, site A 312 and site B 314 are two different retail storesoperated by the same entity and each of the cameras within each storecover different departments. A typical installation will have more thantwo cameras but only two are shown at each site in FIG. 3 for the sakeof clarity. Video system 300 may also typically include additional siteswith additional cameras.

VCS 320 is an example of VCS 120 although VCS 320 may have an alternateconfiguration or operate in an alternate manner. As illustrated, VCS 320may communicate with the cameras through direct links or through anetwork, like communication network 318. Communication network 318 maybe an Internet, intranet, dedicated network, wireless network, localarea network, or other type of network, including combinations thereof.

Storage systems 324 and 354 are used for storage of video from thecameras as well as for storage of other information. Storage systems 324and 354 comprise a communication interface and components for storinginformation or video. The storage components of storage systems 324 and354 may comprise a disk drive, optical disk, flash memory, solid statememory, tape drive, or other device for storage of digital data,including combinations thereof. Storage systems 324 and 354 may alsocomprise additional interfaces for transmitting or receiving data,software, firmware, power supply, structural support, or othercomponents. Storage systems 324 and 354 may be servers, disk arrays,databases, or other devices which provide storage of digital data. Whencomputer 330 requests video associated with a particular camera, VCS 320may provide video retrieved from storage system 324 or may provide alive video stream from the camera.

Computer 330 and computer 340 are any of a variety of computers orprocessing systems which are capable of executing software applications.Computer 330 comprises display 336 and VMS application 334. Computer 340comprises display 346 and VMS application 344. By executing the VMSapplications, computers 330 and 340 display maps and the location of thecameras on those maps. The VMS applications enable a user to select acamera and see information or video associated with the selected camera.Computers 330 and 340 may also comprise memory, other software,firmware, communication components, power supply, structural support, orother components. Computers 330 and 340 may be video processing systems,video analytics systems, servers, computing systems, applicationspecific circuitry, custom hardware, or other types of processingdevices, including combinations thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, computer 340 communicates with VCS 320 over adirect link while computer 330 communicates with VCS 320 throughcommunication network 328. Communication network 328 may be an Internet,intranet, dedicated network, wireless network, local area network, orother type of network, including combinations thereof.

In one example of operation of video system 300, VMS application 344 isexecuted on computer 340 in order to assist a user in monitoringactivities in retail stores at site A 312 and site B 314. Using aninterface on computer 340, VMS application 344 communicates with VCS320. VMS application 344 requests and receives configuration datarelating to cameras 301-305. The configuration data may includeinformation about the cameras, information about the location of thecameras, and information about the sites in which those cameras areinstalled. The configuration information may be available from VCS 320,storage system 324, storage system 354, or a combination thereof.

Next, VMS application 344 generates maps based on the configurationdata. The maps include the location of the cameras, layouts of thestores, the areas or departments covered by the cameras, or combinationsthereof. Graphical symbols are used to indicate the locations of thecameras on the maps. The graphical symbols may also indicate thedirections in which each of the cameras is pointed as well as thepotential range of directions in which each camera may be pointed. VMSapplication 344 displays one or more of these maps and the associatedinformation on display 346 of computer 340.

Based on the information displayed, a user of computer 340 is able toselect one of the cameras using a graphical understanding of which storethe camera is located in, which department the camera covers, andspecifically which area of the department is covered by the camera. Inthis example, the user selects camera 304 using a user interface or someother type of input device associated with computer 340. The camera isselected by moving a cursor, pointer, or other graphical indicator overthe graphical symbol which represents the location of the camera 304.

VMS application 344 receives information about camera 304 and displaysthat information to the user. The received information may includeinformation identifying camera 304, describing the scene or departmentcovered by camera 304, a background image of the scene covered by camera304, or other information. A background image may be useful if the userwants to gain an understanding of the scene covered by the selectedcamera but does not necessarily want or need to see live video from thecamera. In this case, VMS application 344 may be able to retrieve abackground image for camera 304 from storage system 324 or storagesystem 354 without requesting video from VCS 320.

In a variation of the example above, the user may indicate a desire toview video from camera 304 based on the previously displayed informationabout the camera. In this case, VCS 320 provides video received fromcamera 304 over communication network 318 to VMS application 344. VMSapplication 344 may display the video on display 346 in full screenformat or may display the video in a thumbnail view superimposed overthe map which shows the location of the video source.

VMS application 344 may also allow the user to select a second camera,camera 305 for example, and view video from both camera 304 and camera305 on display 346 superimposed on the map. In this way, the user may beable to simultaneously view a person, object or incident from multipleangles. This configuration may also enable the user to easily track aperson or object as it moves from one scene to another. The graphicallayout of the map and the indicated locations and directions of thecameras allow a remote user to gain a better spatial understanding ofthe site and use that spatial understanding to better understand thecontext of the activities taking place in the displayed video.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the functions associatedwith VMS applications 334 and 344 and VCS 320 may be combined into asingle device or distributed across VCS 320 and the VMS applications, orother devices, in a variety of manners.

FIG. 4 illustrates four example display views generated by VMSapplication 334 of video system 300 and displayed on display 336 ofcomputer 330. In this example, two additional sites are included, site Cand site D. Sites C and D are similar to sites A and B of FIG. 3 in thatthey include video cameras which are linked to video system 300. Thefour sites may be in different geographical regions, may be differentareas within a single building, or may be any combination of physicallocations.

In this example, view A 410 is displayed on display 336 of computer 330when VMS application 334 is executed. View A 410 provides the user agraphical and spatial representation of where the sites containingcameras are located with respect to each other. The graphical icon orsymbol on display 336 associated with each site may be accompanied byother information about the location of the site including city name,state name, address, building number, site description, or otheridentifying information. In one variation of this example, sites atwhich cameras are not currently operational, active, or otherwiseavailable may be grayed-out or otherwise visually distinguished fromthose sites which have operational cameras.

In this example, the user selects site C. VMS application 334 thengenerates and displays view B 420. The list of available sites isdisplayed at the bottom of the view along with an indication thatinformation from site C is being viewed. This allows the user to viewthe map for site C as well as easily switch to a map for another site ifdesired. Based on configuration information received for site C, a mapis generated showing the different areas and camera locations for thestore at site C. In this case, the store has three areas of coverage:area A, area B, and area C. The area names may also include descriptiveinformation such as “apparel,” “tools,” “cash registers,” or other typesof descriptive information. The map also indicates the number andapproximate location of cameras through use of graphical symbols, smallblack boxes in this case.

The user then selects one of the areas displayed in view B 420 in orderto see more detailed information about the area and video coverage ofthe area. In this example, the user selects area B and VMS applicationgenerates view C 430 which shows a more detailed map of area B ondisplay 336 of computer 330 based on the previously receivedconfiguration data. The physical location of each camera in area B isindicated on the map using a graphical symbol. The graphical symbolsinclude directional arrows which indicate the direction in which eachcamera is pointed. In the case of the camera in the upper right, an arcalso indicates the available range of positioning or range of motion ofthe camera. Buttons at the bottom of view C 430 allow the user to easilyswitch to other sites or other areas with a single selection.

The map of area B in view C 430 may also include further details aboutthe store including the location of shelves, aisles, display cases,doors, cash registers, or other items. The map may also designate thelocation of departments or categories of products within the map of areaB or any other information which aids in understanding the floorplan ofthat area of the store. The map and the additional information on themap give the user a spatial and physical understanding of the areacovered by the camera. Based on this information, the user may be ableto ascertain the types of objects or activities which may be captured bythe camera without actually having to access, request, or retrieveimages or video from the camera.

The maps in view A 410, view B 420, and view C 430 have a hierarchicalrelationship. The map in view C 430 is a more detailed view of one areaof the map in view B 420 and the map in view B 420 is a more detailedview of one area of the map in view A 410. Additional tiers and branchesof the hierarchy of maps are possible.

Within view C 430, the user may get additional information about thecameras. For example, if the user hovers a cursor over, or otherwiseselects, the graphical symbol in the lower left corner of area B in viewC 430, additional information about the associated camera is displayed.This can be accomplished through use of an extensible markup language(XML) file which relates the position of the cursor to locations on themap or through other means. This additional information may include: anidentification number of the camera, a name of the camera, a name of thedepartment covered by the camera, a description of the products coveredby the camera, a description of the area covered by the camera, or otherinformation. The user is able to view this information without actuallyhaving to access, request, or receive video from the camera. Thisinformation may be stored in and received from multiple locations withinvideo system 300.

Continuing with FIG. 4, the user may view video from a camera byselecting the camera. The request is transmitted to VCS 320. VCS 320either transmits a live video stream from the selected camera orretrieves the video associated with that camera from storage system 324.In either case, video is transmitted to VMS application 334 throughcommunication network 328. VMS application 334 displays the video asillustrated in view D 440. The video is displayed in a small window, orthumbnail, which is overlaid on the map of area B. In this way, the usercan view the video and still see the map which indicates the spatialrelationship of the video to the area. In one variation of this example,the user may expand the video to full screen mode such that the videobeing viewed occupies the entire area of display 336.

The user may also use VMS application 334 to view video from two camerassimultaneously. In this case, a small window or thumbnail associatedwith each camera is overlaid on the map of the area. In this way, theuser may view the same person or activity from multiple angles if theparticular location is covered by two or more cameras. Also, the usermay also use the two videos to more easily monitor movement of a personor an object from one area of the store to another.

In a variation of the examples discussed above, VMS application 334contains information used to determine which camera, if any, covers anylocation on the map selected by the user. When a user selects alocation, VMS application 334 determines which camera best covers thatarea and displays video from that camera. In the case where there aremultiple cameras which cover that location, VMS application 334 mayoffer the user a choice of those cameras or may display backgroundimages or video from all of the applicable cameras in a mosaic styledisplay.

In addition to the functions described above, any of the VMS or VMSapplications discussed above may perform additional video processingfunctions. The additional video processing functions may includealgorithms for video analytics, motion detection, object identification,motion analysis, compression, thinning, or other functions.

In addition to security and loss prevention uses, the systems andmethods discussed above may also be used for other purposes. The systemsand methods may be used for marketing or business purposes includinganalyzing traffic patterns, determining shopper preferences, assessingcustomer behavior, determining stocking levels, modeling buyingpatterns, or for other purposes.

FIG. 5 illustrates VCS 500. VCS 500 includes communication interface 510and processing system 520. Processing system 520 is linked tocommunication interface 510 through a communication link.

Communication interface 510 includes network interface 512, input ports516, and output ports 518. Communication interface 510 includescomponents that communicate over communication links, such as networkcards, ports, RF transceivers, processing circuitry and software, orsome other communication device. Communication interface 510 may beconfigured to communicate over metallic, wireless, or optical links.Communication interface 510 may be configured to use TDM, IP, Ethernet,optical networking, wireless protocols, communication signaling, or someother communication format, including combinations thereof.

Network interface 512 is configured to connect to external devices overnetwork 570. Network 570 is an example of communication network 318although network 570 may have an alternate configuration or operate inan alternate manner. Input ports 516 are configured to connect to inputdevices 580 such as a video source, a camera, a storage system, or otherinput device. Output ports 518 are configured to connect to outputdevices 590 such as a storage system, a communication link, a display,or other output devices.

Processing system 520 includes processor 521 and memory system 522.Processor 521 includes microprocessor and other circuitry that retrievesand executes operating software from memory system 522. Memory system522 comprises software 523. Memory system 522 may be implemented usingrandom access memory, read-only memory, a hard drive, a tape drive,flash memory, optical storage, or other memory apparatus.

Software 523 comprises operating system 524, applications 525, videodistribution module 528, and camera control module 529. Software 523 mayalso comprise additional computer programs, firmware, or some other formof non-transitory, machine-readable processing instructions. Whenexecuted by processor 521, operating system 524 directs processingsystem 520 to operate VCS 500 as described herein using applications525, video distribution module 528, and camera control module 529. Videodistribution module 528 directs processing system 520 to receive videofrom various cameras and transmit the requested video to videomanagement systems. Camera control module 529 directs processing system520 to send control instructions to cameras instructing them to pan,tilt, zoom, power cycle, or perform other functions.

It should be understood that the functions and features of VCS 500illustrated in FIG. 5 may be implemented in or performed by otherdevices including other devices within video system 100 or video system300.

FIG. 6 illustrates VMS 600. VMS 600 includes communication interface610, user interface 614, and processing system 620. Processing system620 is linked to communication interface 610 and user interface 614through communication links.

Communication interface 610 includes network interface 612.Communication interface 610 includes components that communicate overcommunication links, such as network cards, ports, RF transceivers,processing circuitry and software, or some other communication device.Communication interface 610 may be configured to communicate overmetallic, wireless, or optical links. Communication interface 610 may beconfigured to use TDM, IP, Ethernet, optical networking, wirelessprotocols, communication signaling, or some other communication format,including combinations thereof. Network interface 612 is configured toconnect to external devices over network 670. Network 670 is an exampleof communication network 328 although network 670 may have an alternateconfiguration or operate in an alternate manner.

User interface 614 includes input ports 616 and output ports 618. Inputports 616 are configured to connect to input devices 680 such as akeyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a storage system, or other inputdevices. Output ports 618 are configured to connect to output devices690 such as a display, a storage system, a printer, or other outputdevices.

Processing system 620 includes processor 621 and memory system 622.Processor 621 includes microprocessor and other circuitry that retrievesand executes operating software from memory system 622. Memory system622 comprises software 623. Memory system 622 may be implemented usingrandom access memory, read-only memory, a hard drive, a tape drive,flash memory, optical storage, or other memory apparatus.

Software 623 comprises operating system 624, applications 625, videoprocessing module 628, and map generation module 629. Software 623 mayalso comprise additional computer programs, firmware, or some other formof non-transitory, machine-readable processing instructions. Whenexecuted by processor 621, operating system 624 directs processingsystem 620 to operate VMS 600 as described herein using applications625, video processing module 628, and map generation module 629. Videoprocessing module 628 directs processing system 620 to display videoassociated with the selected video source. Map generation module 629directs processing system 620 to generate maps, display maps, displaythe location of cameras on the maps, and display other information.

It should be understood that the functions and features of VMS 600illustrated in FIG. 6 may be implemented in or performed by otherdevices including other devices within video system 100 or video system300.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. In a computer system having a graphical userinterface including a display and a selection device, a method ofproviding and selecting from the graphical user interface to operate avideo system for video surveillance, the method comprising: initializingthe graphical user interface, the graphical user interface displaying aplurality of views, wherein each of the plurality of views includes: amap based on received configuration data, wherein each map in theplurality of views has a hierarchical relationship such that one map inthe hierarchy provides a more detailed view of one section of anothermap in the hierarchy, a plurality of links graphically depicted in eachmap, wherein each link of the plurality of links in each map representsa section of the map and connects to another one of the maps having themore detailed view of the section associated with the link, and a listof other links graphically depicted in the plurality of views, whereinthe other links represent the links graphically depicted in one of theplurality of views, wherein the list of other links are graphicallydepicted as selectable buttons; displaying on the graphical userinterface the least detailed map view, wherein the plurality of links inthe least detailed map view each represent a site on the map; selectingone of the site links in the least detailed map view; displaying on thegraphical user interface a site map view associated with the selectedsite link, wherein the plurality of links in the site map view eachrepresent an area of the map, further wherein the list of links in thesite map view represent a site from the least detailed map view;selecting one of the area links in the site map view; displaying on thegraphical user interface an area map view associated with the selectedarea link, wherein the plurality of links in the area map view eachrepresent the location of a video source in the area, further whereinthe list of links in the area map view represent an area from the sitemap view; selecting a location anywhere in the map of the area apartfrom the plurality of video source links; and simultaneously displayingvideo streams associated with the selected location, wherein the videostreams associated with the select location are the video source linksthat cover the selected location.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe graphical depiction of the site links in least detailed view providea graphical and spatial representation of a location of each site withrespect to each other site.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein thesites may be in different geographical regions.
 24. The method of claim21, wherein the graphical depiction of the area links in the site mapview provide a graphical and spatial representation of a location ofeach area with respect to each other area of the selected site.
 25. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the video sources for the displayed videostreams may be in different geographic locations.
 26. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the site map view includes the names of each area anda description of each area.
 27. The method of claim 21, wherein the sitemap view includes a graphical depiction of video sources within each ofthe plurality of areas depicting the physical location of each videosource on the map.
 28. In a computer system having a graphical userinterface including a display and a selection device, a method ofproviding and selecting from the graphical user interface to operate avideo system for video surveillance, the method comprising: initializingthe graphical user interface, the graphical user interface displaying aplurality of views, wherein each of the plurality of views includes: amap based on received configuration data, wherein each map in theplurality of views has a hierarchical relationship such that one map inthe hierarchy provides a more detailed view of one section of anothermap in the hierarchy, a plurality of links graphically depicted in eachmap, wherein each link of the plurality of links in each map representsa section of the map and connects to another one of the maps having themore detailed view of the section associated with the link, and a listof other links graphically depicted in the plurality of views, whereinthe other links represent the links graphically depicted in one of theplurality of views, wherein the list of other links are graphicallydepicted as selectable buttons; displaying on the graphical userinterface the least detailed map view, wherein the plurality of links inthe least detailed map view each represent a site on the map; selectingone of the site links in the least detailed map view; displaying on thegraphical user interface a site map view associated with the selectedsite link, wherein the plurality of links in the site map view eachrepresent an area of the map, further wherein the list of links in thesite map view represent a site from the least detailed map view;selecting one of the area links in the site map view; displaying on thegraphical user interface an area map view associated with the selectedarea link, wherein the plurality of links in the area map view eachrepresent the location of a video source in the area, further whereinthe list of links in the area map view represent an area from the sitemap view; selecting one of the video source links in the area map view;and simultaneously displaying the video stream associated with theselected video source link and all additional video streams that coverthe location of the selected video source link.
 29. The method of claim28, wherein the graphical depiction of the site links in least detailedview provide a graphical and spatial representation of a location ofeach site with respect to each other site.
 30. The method of claim 29,wherein the sites may be in different geographical regions.
 31. Themethod of claim 28, wherein the graphical depiction of the area links inthe site map view provide a graphical and spatial representation of alocation of each area with respect to each other area of the selectedsite.
 32. The method of claim 28, wherein the video sources for thedisplayed video streams may be in different geographic locations. 33.The method of claim 28, wherein the site map view includes the names ofeach area and a description of each area.
 34. The method of claim 28,wherein the site map view includes a graphical depiction of videosources within each of the plurality of areas depicting the physicallocation of each video source on the map.
 35. A graphical user interfacefor operating a video system for video surveillance, the graphical userinterface comprising: a plurality of maps based on receivedconfiguration data, wherein each map in the plurality of maps has ahierarchical relationship with each other such that one map in thehierarchy provides a more detailed view of one section of another map inthe hierarchy; a plurality of selectable links graphically depicted ineach map, wherein each link of the plurality of links in each maprepresents a section of the map and connects to another one of the mapshaving the more detailed view of the section associated with the link,wherein selecting a graphically depicted link will cause the mapassociated with the selected graphically depicted link to be displayed,and a plurality of selectable buttons, wherein each selectable buttonrepresents the sections of the map graphically depicted in one of theplurality of views, wherein selecting one of the selectable buttons willcause the map associated with the selected selectable button to bedisplayed; wherein the graphical user interface is initialized todisplay the least detailed map, wherein the least detailed map displayssections with selectable links, each section of the least details maprepresenting a site on the map; wherein selecting one of the site linksin the least detailed map causes the graphical user interface to displaya site map associated with the selected site link, wherein the site mapdisplays sections with selectable links, each section of the site maprepresenting an area of the section on the map, further wherein the sitemap displays selectable buttons, wherein each selectable buttondisplayed on the site map represents a site displayed on the leastdetailed map; wherein selecting one of the area links in the site mapcauses the graphical user interface to display an area map associatedwith the selected area link, wherein the area map displays sections withselectable links, each section of the area map representing a videosource in the area on the map, further wherein the area map displaysselectable buttons, wherein each selectable button displayed on the sitemap represents an area displayed on the site map; wherein selecting oneof the selectable site buttons in the site map causes the graphical userinterface to display the site map associate with the selected sitebutton; wherein selecting a location anywhere in the map of the areaapart from the plurality of video source links causes the graphical userinterface to display simultaneously video streams associated with theselected location, wherein the video streams associated with theselected location are the video source links that cover the selectedlocation; wherein selecting a video source link causes the graphicaluser interface to display the video stream associated with the selectedvideo source link; and wherein selecting one of the selectable areabuttons in the area map causes the graphical user interface to displaythe area map associated with the selected area button.
 36. The graphicaluser interface of claim 35, wherein the sites displayed in the leastdetailed map provide a graphical and spatial representation of alocation of each site with respect to each other site, further whereinthe sites may be in different geographical regions.
 37. The graphicaluser interface of claim 35, wherein the areas displayed in each site mapprovide a graphical and spatial representation of a location of eacharea with respect to each other area of the selected site.
 38. Thegraphical user interface of claim 35, wherein the video sourcesassociated with each video stream displayed in each area map may be indifferent geographic locations.
 39. The graphical user interface ofclaim 35, wherein the site map displays the names of each area and adescription of each area.
 40. The graphical user interface of claim 35,wherein the site map displays a graphical depiction of each video sourcewithin each of the plurality of areas depicting the physical location ofeach video source on the site map.